34. Infected facial tumour. Dwarf Hamster

HAMSTER SURGERY
Dwarf Hamster, 1 year. Young lady
Dehydrated, Not eating
Facial swelling 2-3 weeks growing fast. Rounded, 1cm X 0.8 cm.
Abscess?

Zoletil 50 IM. Duration 5 minutes. Need to be prompt in surgery. But large tumour is not easy to remove in <60 seconds. Therefore I needed to use isoflurane gas to maintain the anaesthesia.

Tip:
Give isoflurane gas when it moves. If you continue without anaesthesia, the hamster will struggle and die of fright and pain.



1 cm incision. Watery pus drained. Multiple rounded fat-like cells of 1 mm globules widespread. Can't remove all without affecting nerves. Owner informed.
Hamster OK. Picture.
Advice: Removal will have been easy and effective when it is around 2-4 mm in diameter some 2 months ago.

Goes home on Day 3. It is likely that the tumour will recur as it is widespread inside the cheek.